It’s an alert saying Shira posted. I started following Shira again after she stood up for me and the reason she stood up for me makes me respect her more. That one act tells me she cares about my feelings more than Adam had. I click on the alert, out of curiosity and my heart drops. It’s a statement announcing that she and Adam decided to split.
I don’t care about Adam in the least bit but I do think it’s going to oddly bring attention back to me. Attention I don’t want. We’re not getting back together and I highly doubt I had anything to do with the split.
The driver stops in front of the venue and walks around to open the door for me. The moment I set out, I have people yelling to get my attention for different photos but the energy seems to increase since some of them are just not getting the news real-time. Since I have not made it to where the ropes are controlling the paparazzi, they start to crowd me and block my entry. Some of the venue's security push their way towards me but they are further ahead.
“Excuse me!” I yell as politely as possible but they are asking me my thoughts on the breakup. I cannot fight them in this dress and heels and I’m becoming agitated. “Let me walk!”
“Hey!” One of them yelled, offended by something.
Another one flies to the side and when a hand grabs mine, I instinctively know it’s someone I can trust. Cole laces his fingers with mine and pushes through the crowd, strong-arming anyone in my way.
It’s such a sexy sight even with the idiots asking me if he’s my new man. I don’t answer them nor do I care if they need an answer. I only want to be with him and this moment has made that abundantly clear. If I tell anyone my relationship status. It will be him.
Once we clear the crowd, the security ushers us onto the carpet but he doesn’t care about any of that. Cole turns to me and cups my cheeks looking for any signs of distress.
“Are you okay?”
His desire to put my safety above everything else makes me want to marry him on the spot. People call my name to get pictures but I don’t care about being on task right now. Instead of a verbal answer, I close the gap between us and kiss him with everything I’m feeling. People whistle and shout as the cameras flash but I don’t care that they’re getting a ‘scoop’ I just want Cole to know how much I care about him.
He pulls away, giving me an almost shy smile. It reminds me that he’s not used to being in the spotlight.
He laces our fingers back together and starts walking down the carpet and posing with me for the random pictures until we’re inside. He pulls me towards a secluded corner in the venue so he can say what he needs to say without us being interrupted.
My only hope is that he isn’t mad.
“That kiss said a lot, Jessamine. It was possessive and in front of a lot of cameras.”
My stomach drops. He looks more serious than I’ve ever seen him. I don’t want to upset him or trap him in my bullshit but I was very much wrapped up in the moment. I’m drafting an apology in my head when his face breaks into a smirk.
“Do it again.”
I sigh with relief and hit his arm.
“Oh my god. I thought you were mad. I was about to apologize for hard launching us without talking to you about it.”
Cole wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close. “I see why you wanted to meet here. It’s taking everything not to rip off this sexy little dress you’re wearing.” He kisses me just under my ear. “There is no reason to apologize. I’ve been exclusively yours from the moment you walked into my life.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “You make it so easy to fall for you.”
Cole kisses me again, light but lingering. “Then my evil plan is working. Fall for me, baby. Fall hard.”
“As long as you fall with me.”
Cole smirk makes me want to forget the event and climb up under my man for the rest of the night.
“I’m way ahead of you. I’m falling without a parachute.”
My fingers tease the hair at the nap of his neck. “There is so much I want to do to you right now, but I have to make this appearance.”
“So how about a quick appearance? I have a girlfriend to fuck. Keep this dress on the first time we do it. In fact, there has to be an empty office or closet around here somewhere.”
I laugh and push him away because my hormones love his plan to the fullest.
“Behave, Cole.” I put space between us but maintain eye contact. “Say it again.”
“I want to fuck my girlfriend.” I blush a little and look around to see if anyone heard him.
“Just the last word, crazy man.”
